Very well written. I am single and I had more of a problem with only Dolly. She was lonely and would always be by me. I couldn't play so well with her after my last back surgeries and my way to deal with that was to get Desi. The first day was hard because I thought that I ruined two dogs' lives. They have learned to love each other and they actually try to protect each other too. With two, I am better able to take care of things. There are times when I have to get something done and the main thing I do is opening and shutting the door for Dolly to sunbathe and Desi takes turns deciding if he wants to be with me or with Dolly. As the morning turns to early afternoon, Desi wants to be inside, but he will go into the bedroom and roll himself in the blankets and take a little nap. They both take naps and that helps me. I always know that after 6 pm I can pretty much do whatever I want to. They are sleeping near me again as I go about what I need to do.
So with me being single and having disabilities, the two dog home is much easier than the one dog home. I think I was trying to say the same thing about compatibility in one of my emails, but it didn't get explained as you did. If everyone was compatible with Chihuahuas there would be no great danes or collies, or Labrador retrievers. God has made us all different and the dogs also. Thanks for taking care of Pia. When does she get her KC checked again? From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of freddyscribbles Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2011 7:49 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Chihuahuas] Things I've Learned from the Dog - Part One My little foster girl is sleeping soundly after dinner, a short brisk walk, and a little play time. It seems like the perfect time to reflect on what I've learned over the past week and a half. It's been a roller coaster ride for sure. But not one I regret. - Life is important to me. More so than I realized even though I was the one desperately trying to save an older, sick gerbil several years ago and then sat sobbing on the couch with his little body in my hands after we came home from the vet - he died shortly after I returned home from treatment. Even on our worst days, I looked at that little, canine life I've taken upon myself to help, and although there were moments where I wish I could have strangle her, the preciousness of a life saved from misery and death in a shelter kept me going. - Sometimes, people and animals aren't compatible. Love can grow. But chemistry is not always there. Just as certain people will never click, the same is true for people and animals. Staying in this relationship long term would be like the couple that didn't get a divorce because of other people's expectations. I will not condemn this dog to a life like that. I can love her - I love to watch her grow. I love to watch her develop into a happier canine. I love to watch her health and temperament improve each day, and I will be cheering for her when she finds someone who will love her properly. But I cannot find that missing piece that prevents me from connecting to her. - I cannot be a single dog parent. It is possible that, with the right dog, I would do fine on my own. But I do feel that I am someone that would benefit from support in dog ownership. Especially working from home. You know: 'Honey, could you take the dog out for awhile so I can finish this up?' - High energy, high intensity, and highly active are not the same things. I mistook my high levels of activity for much higher energy than I have. I am a relatively mellow, mid-level energy person most of the time in spite of being extremely active and very intense. She is a high energy dog. I do not have the stamina to keep myself tuned to match her higher energy, which is something I've had to do. - I am not a small breed person. I get nervous because she's so low on the food chain and easily something that would be considered dinner to 90% of the animals living in my area. Temperament wise, I'd have done better with a larger dog that was happy to spend his days playing with his toys on his own or lounging while I worked. The pay off would be plenty of long walks or trips to hiking trails. - Patience. It took awhile. I am not as patient as I thought. I rebelled at first, fought to get my way. Selfish. And ignorant. Harmful to both of us. But the key is - do you continue on this route, or do you reach deeper and find the patience and fortitude to see you both through? Relationships take work and time - I always knew that was the case with people. I had to learn to use this same approach with Pia. Thank you Pia, for the daily lessons and new adventures each and every day. I know they haven't always been good ones, but I feel, that in spite of all of the road bumps, you are a truly special little girl that's been a very important part of my life. We will find you the perfect home with a comfy lap where you will be loved. That is my promise to you.
